South African National Defence Force – 2004

THE South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was founded in 1912 as the Union Defence Forces (UDF) and renamed the South African Defence Force (SADF) in 1958. It was given its present name when it took over the liberation armies and the homeland defence forces in 1994.

The SANDF is organised into the South African Army, the South African Air Force, the South African Navy, and the South African Military Health Service. There are a full-time Regular Force (formerly "Permanent Force"), a part-time Conventional Reserve (formerly "Citizen Force"), and a part-time Territorial Reserve (formerly "Commandos").

The UDF established its own decorations and medals in 1952. The series was enlarged in the 1960s, extensively revised in 1974-75, and further enlarged in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was replaced by an entirely new series in 2003.

	Castle of Good Hope Decoration (CGH) (1952-2003) — for most conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy in wartime (or, since 1986, in any military operation) • named after the country's oldest fortification • never awarded • ribbon colours: SANDF/'Springbok' colours.
	Honoris Crux Diamond (HCD) (1975-93) — for death-defying heroic deeds of outstanding valour • highest (1st) class of the Honoris Crux Decoration • never awarded • ribbon colour: 1975 colour code for bravery.
	Honoris Crux Gold (HCG) (1975-93) — for outstanding bravery in extreme danger • 2nd class of the Honoris Crux Decoration • 6 awards were made.
	Nkwe ya Gauta (NG) (2003- ) — the "Golden Leopard", for bravery.
	Order of the Star of South Africa (Military) (1975-2002) — for meritorious service by senior officers • conferred in two classes:
	Gold (SSA), for meritorious service in promoting SANDF efficiency and preparedness
	Silver (SSAS), for exceptionally meritorious service of major military importance • awarded regularly until 1993 but only occasionally thereafter • ribbon colour: 1975 colour code for meritorious service.
	Star of South Africa (SSA) (1952-75) — for exceptionally meritorious service – senior officers only • 20 awards were made • replaced by the Order of the Star of South Africa • ribbon colours: Orange Free State and Transvaal colours.
	Louw Wepener Decoration (LWD) (1952-75) — for most conspicuous courage or greatest heroism, usually non-operational • named after a 19th century military hero • 7 awards were made • ribbon colours: orange Free State flag.
	Honoris Crux (HC) - 1st Type (1952-75) — for gallantry in action • 5 awards were made • ribbon colours: Transvaal flag.
	Honoris Crux Silver (HCS) (1975- ) — for exceptional bravery in great danger (since 1993 an operational award only) • 3rd class of the Honoris Crux Decoration • 26 awards have been made.
	Nkwe ya Selefera (NS) (2003- ) — "Silver Leopard", for bravery.
	Van Riebeeck Decoration (DVR) (1952-75) — for distinguished service in the field by officers • named after the founder of the first European settlement • only 2 awards were made • ribbon colour: Cape of Good Hope colour.
	Honoris Crux (HC) - 2nd Type (1975-2003) — for bravery while in danger (since 1993 an operational award only) • 4th class of the Honoris Crux Decoration • about 200 awards were made.
	Nkwe ya Boronse (NB) (2003- ) — "Bronze Leopard", for bravery.
	Pro Virtute Decoration (PVD) (1987-2003) — for distinguished conduct and exceptional combat leadership by officers • ribbon colours: national flag.
	Southern Cross Decoration (SD) (1975-2003) — for outstanding service and utmost devotion to duty by officers (who had already been awarded the Southern Cross Medal) • ribbon colours: 1975 colour code for meritorious service.
	Pro Merito Decoration (PMD) (1975-2003) — for outstanding service and utmost devotion to duty by other ranks (who had already been awarded the Pro Merito Medal).
	iPhrothiya yeGolide (PG) (2003- ) — "Golden Protea", for meritorious service.
	Van Riebeeck Medal (VRM) (1952-75) — for distinguished service in the field by other ranks • named after the founder of the first European settlement • only 5 awards were made • ribbon colours: Cape of Good Hope colours.
	Louw Wepener Medal (LWM) (1967-75) — for bravery (usually non-operational) • only 8 awards were made • ribbon colours: Orange Free State flag.
	Pro Virtute Medal (PVM) (1987-2003) — for distinguished conduct and exceptional combat leadership by other ranks • ribbon colours: national flag.
	Ad Astra Decoration (AAD) (1987-2003) — for excellent flying skill or outstanding ingenuity or skill during emergencies or unusual situations – SAAF aircrew only • ribbon colours: air force colours.
	Army Cross (CM) (1987-2003) — "Crux Militaria" for exceptional courage, leadership, skill, ingenuity or tenacity in handling personnel, weaponry or other equipment in dangerous or critical situations – army personnel • ribbon colours: army colours.
	Air Force Cross (CA) (1987-2003) — "Crux Aeronautica" the air force equivalent • ribbon colours: air force colours.
	Navy Cross (CN) (1987-2003) — "Crux Navalis" the navy equivalent • ribbon colours: navy colours.
	SAMHS Cross (CC) (1987-2003) — "Crux Curationis" the military health service equivalent • ribbon colours: medical service colours.
	Southern Cross Medal (SM) - 1st Type (1952-75) — for outstanding devotion to duty – all ranks until 1967 and thereafter officers only • ribbon colours: national flag.
	Pro Merito Medal (PMM) - 1st Type (1967-75) — for outstanding devotion to duty – other ranks only • ribbon colours: Cape of Good Hope colour and the national flag.
	Southern Cross Medal (SM) - 2nd Type (1975-2003) — for exceptionally meritorious service and particular devotion to duty by officers (who had already been awarded the Military Merit Medal) • ribbon colours: 1975 colour code for meritorious service.
	Pro Merito Medal (PMM) - 2nd Type (1975-2003) — for exceptionally meritorious service and particular devotion to duty by other ranks (who had already been awarded the Military Merit Medal) • ribbon colours: 1975 colour code for meritorious service.
	iPhrothiya yeSiliva (PS) (2003- ) — "Silver Protea", for meritorious service.
	Danie Theron Medal (DTM) (1970-2003) — for diligent service in the Territorial Reserve – officers only until 1975, all ranks thereafter • named after a Boer war hero • ribbon colours: territorial reserve colours.
	Jack Hindon Medal (JHM) (1970-75) — for diligent service in the Territorial Reserve – other ranks only • named after a Boer war hero • only 18 awards were made • ribbon colours: territorial reserve colours.
	Military Merit Medal (MMM) (1974-2003) — for service of a high standard • originally (1974-93) called the C SADF Commendation Medal • ribbon colours: navy, air force and army colours.
	iPhrothiya yeBhronzi (PB) (2003- ) — "Bronze Protea", for meritorious service.
	Korea Medal (1953) — for service in the Korean War (to which the UDF contributed an air force squadron and some army staff officers) • about 800 medals were issued • ribbon colours: navy, army and air force colours.
	Pro Patria Medal (1974) — for operational service (minimum 55 days) in defence of SA or in the prevention or suppression of terrorism • issued for the Border War (counter-insurgency operations in South West Africa 1966-89) and for campaigns in Angola (1975-76 and 1987-88) • the CUNENE clasp was issued for the 1975-76 Angola campaign • ribbon colours: national flag.
	Southern Africa Medal (1989- ) — for operational service outside South Africa and South West Africa since 1976 • issued for Border War external operations and for the 1987-88 Angola campaign • made of nickel from a captured Soviet tank • ribbon colours: Angolan flag.
	General Service Medal (1989) — for operational service inside SA from 1983 onwards • issued for the 1985-90 state of emergency and the 1989 – 1994 operations in support of the SAPS (operations against the liberation armies) • ribbon colours: national flag.
	Tshumelo Ikatelaho (2003- ) — for operational service • ribbon colours: post-1994 national flag.
	Unitas Medal (1994) — to commemorate the amalgamation of the SADF with the homeland forces and the liberation armies to form the SANDF.
	Medal for Distinguished Conduct and Loyal Service (1987-2003) — for 40 years exemplary service • ribbon colours: 1975 colour code for long service (green) and the 1928 or 1994 national flag.
	^1987-94
	^1994-
	Good Service Medal: Gold (1975-2003) — for 30 years exemplary service in the Regular Force • also available to part-time personnel until 1993 and originally (1975-93) called the SADF Good Service Medal • ribbon colours: 1975 colour code for long service (green).
	^1975-86
	^1986-

	John Chard Decoration (JCD) (1952-2003) — for 20 years efficient service in the Conventional Reserve • named after a 19th century British war hero • ribbon colours: British flag.
	Clasp for 30 years service
	De Wet Decoration (DWD) (1965-2003) — for 20 years efficient service in the Territorial Reserve – officers only until 1986, all ranks since then • named after a Boer war hero • ribbon colours: territorial reserve colours.
	Cadet Corps Medal (1965-66) — for 20 years exemplary service as a school cadet officer • ribbon colours: national flag.
	Good Service Medal: Silver (1975-2003) — for 20 years exemplary service in the Regular Force • also available to part-time personnel until 1993 • ribbon colours: 1975 colour code for long service (green).
	^1975-86
	¹⁹⁸⁶
	Permanent Force Good Service Medal (1952-75) — for 18 years exemplary service in the Permanent Force • originally (1952-61) called the Union Medal • ribbon colours: national flag.
	John Chard Medal (1952-2003) — for 10 (until 1986, 12) years efficient service in the Conventional Reserve • ribbon colours: British flag.
	Good Service Medal: Bronze (1975-2003) — for 10 years exemplary service in the Regular Force • also available to part-time personnel until 1993 • ribbon colours: 1975 colour code for long service (green).
	^1975-86
	¹⁹⁸⁶
	De Wet Medal (1987-2003) — for 10 years efficient service in the Territorial Reserve • ribbon colours: territorial reserve colours.
	Medalje vir Troue Diens (2003- ) — "Medal for Faithful Service", for 10 years service in the Regular or Reserve Forces • ribbon colours: 1994 national flag.
	SANDF Champion Shot Medal (1965-2003) — for the winners of the annual SANDF shooting championships • originally (1965-75) called the Commandant General's Medal • ribbon colours: air force, army and navy colours.
	Cadet Champion Shot Medal (1987-2003) — for the overall winner of the annual National Cadet Bisley for school cadets.